 Master plan with main areas |  Typical new edge conditionsPrior edge condition on the left and the proposed more resilient and interactive edge conditions on the right |  Regenerative floating planterAn educational component that also fills a function to provide a protective nursing environment for the early stages of aquatic life, flushed daily by the high tides. |
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 Seating TypologiesOne of the main components of the project is to provide green hubs and seating to encourage slowing down the pace and pausing from time to time. This diagram shows the type of typology and point out where they are located. |  Untitled.006_edited |  Single BenchOne of the prototypes with vegetation |
 Hexagon seatingA place to pause on a wide side walk, in the shade of the palm trees |  Brickell Bay waterfrontA public space on the coastal edge that serves many functions |  Brickell plaza and its functionsBrickell Plaza fills also doubles as a bioremediation site where runoff from the streets are collected and naturally cleaned and filtered on terraces where the water sits until the next high tide comes in and flushed it out to the estuary |
 Brickell Plaza high tide |  Brickell Plaza low tide |  Brickell PlazaBoardwalks enables close up strolling and viewing of the natural filtration process in the plaza |
 Alley Simpson Park - Biscayne BayInspired by the feeling of Simpson Park the Alley leads you to the Bay. Crushed shell covers the path as in the park |  The Neighborhood ParkA prior parking lot is now a community gathering space |  AnalysisExploring the pre drainage and post drainage condition and urbanization of South Florida and Miami |
 AnalysisThe water body connection between the Everglades and the Bay, freshwater - largely contaminated - enters the bay in large volumes disturbing the estuarine balance |  Brickell AnalysisPrior analysis of different aspects of the site prior to design |  Model AnalysisTransect of existing condition on site Vertical seawall |
Brickell is an urban neighborhood in the greater downtown Miami, FL.
It has become South Florida's main financial district, partly due to the location adjacent to a major hub, Port of Miami, where international trade specifically with south America is thriving.
The residential population is fast growing and Brickell is the densest high rise neighborhood in Miami with many upscale luxury condominium and apartment towers, as well as popular Miami restaurants and shopping.
Brickell Personified
Brickell, Miami, FL
Grad Studio 5 | Fall -16
Brickell has a rich history. The Village, called 'Tequesta', was located on both sides of the river and supported a large community, the Tequesta Indians. Proximity to the Everglades , Biscayne Bay, and offshore reefs gave them access to a bounty of plants and animals for food and raw materials for the production of tools and crafts.
In modern times, it was the first area in Miami to be settled in the 1800 and it grew into becoming 'millionaire row' with large private mansions along Brickell Ave built by Mary Brickell. In the 1970's most of the mansions were replaced by high-rises which leads us to Brickell today.
ISSUES
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There is a disconnect pertaining to quality of life, between the old and the new, and a lack of 'soul' that can be bridged and resolved by design of meaningful public places.
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There is a spatial disconnect pertaining a green network to encourage less car usage. An area like Brickell with such a dense urban fabric, and several transportation option, including the developing 'Underline' transportation corridor, can be a role model in a city otherwise characterized of urban sprawl.
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There is no water front access and Biscayne Bay becomes merely a beautiful view.
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The bay front consist of a vertical sterile sea wall, which does not support a rich ecosystem Biscayne Bay's natural Estuarine condition support.
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The ratio pervious vs impervious surfaces are to great resulting in harmful runoff that has nowhere to be cleaned before entering the septic system and Biscayne Bay.
OBJECTIVES
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To Activate the water front by creating a vibrant resilient public waterfront with water access that also protects in storm events.
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Convert the parking lot bordering the water into a dynamic public plaza for the residents of Brickell that will naturally treat the runoff using the tidal fluctuations, before entering Biscayne Bay's natural Estuarine condition. This will also function as a educational component.
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Connect the waterfront into a larger green network linking Simpson Park with the waterfront and continue north, and improve water front access points.